Messi primed and ready

At this stage of the game, it is an open secret that Leo Messi will start against Bayern. The Argentine has been named in Barça's 21-man squad, although he has yet to receive the green light from the medical team. This is nothing unusual, though, and should not be taken as an indication that his recovery is not on track, as the Catalan club does not tend to issue medical all-clears until a few hours before matches.

The striking sensation has been wrapped in cotton wool following his 30-minute cameo against PSG two weeks ago, when he pulled up after feeling something in his hamstring in just his second sprint since joining the fray. At the time, the club claimed that his injury had not been aggravated, but he has been conspicuous by his absence in every match squad since and only returned to full training last Friday.

Physiotherapist Juanjo Brau has stuck to Messi like glue over the last two weeks. The forward has been combining physiotherapy exercises with heat treatments to speed up his recovery. According to the battery of tests he has undergone, everything is going smoothly. He won't be 100% fit for the first leg against Bayern, but he will be in better shape than against PSG.

The Argentine will lead the line, but will be prudent. He knows his body well enough to err on the side of caution at the slightest sign of trouble, as otherwise he risks missing the rest of the season.